History, Culture, Beauty, Wonder, People, Custom, Treasure and more for the Global Nomads

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Trip to Korea (March 2014)

Best family photo taken by the driver Mr. Song in Jeju

Korea is my motherland. So it is always great joy to visit her.

This time, the joy was even greater because we made the trip together with Amanda and James. Amanda has been visiting Korea every decade over three times, but it was the first time visit for James. Moreover, we celebrated my father's 90th birthday. What a blessing to live for nine decades on earth!

Our schedule for 12 nights was quite busy with several mini tours.

Strategically, we rented an apartment nearby Seoul Station so that we can have easy access to everywhere. It worked. The lodging had two beds, with in an open space, thus lacking privacy.

Kristin and James had some stomach problems, but overall we kept ourselves pretty healthy.

Father's 90th Birthday Celebration:

Obviously this was the primary purpose for our family (missing Joyce) to travel to Korea. Our expanded family all got together to celebrate his long life.

James was willing and able to learn the Korean custom of bowing in couple to my parents. It was foreign to him but he was so adaptive and pleasant. Everyone enjoyed him so much. Thumbs up!

Relatives on my mother side made an extensive trip all the way from Mokpo. Greatly appreciated.

Extended family photo after our celebration

Amanda and James with their grand parents

Kristin also this time...

Our family with parents

Amanda and James bowing to my parents...

Trip to Jeju Island

Jeju is Korea's Hawaii. Surprisingly it is included in New Seven Natural Wonders of World!

It used to be the honeymoon place some time back. But now this island attracts so many tourists from overseas, primarily from China. To me, it was absolutely overcrowded and over developed. We learned that there are more than 120 themes and more than 100 museums in Jeju!

A foursome of our group received a private tour because the group was so small. Nobody else was in the group. We got to meet the driver, Mr. Song, who was kind and courteous in everything he did.

We not only toured the main Jeju Island but also made a trip to U-do (Cow) via a ferry where we drove around and also ate Red Bean Shaved Ice at Marilyn Monroe Cafe where Chuck and Eunice ate the same thing. Funny!

We saw the diving ladies who made deep dives into water to pick shells and crabs. It was unbelievable that the average age of these ladies is 70! They can hold their breath for up to three minutes.

We also watched a horse show performed by Mongolians and a circus performed by Chinese people.

We took a boat that cruises that travels to a couple of islands off the coast. But it was rainy and windy, making the trip pretty challenging. Nonetheless, it was fun to watch sea gulls following the boat to catch the snacks that people were throwing.

On the way, here and there, we visited a few commercial places, such as mushroom farm (Sang-Hang), medicinal vegetable growing out of dead bees (Dong Chung Ha Cho), horse bone power etc.

12 statues of oriental zodiac order personified...

A temple with great views

Kristin looks tired...

A shell-shaped business outlet...

At U-do...

On the cruise boat...

Looking good...?

We received special aroma treat for our feet...

Don Quiote Statue...

Sea Gulls following the boat...

Citrons and mushrooms...

In front of Harubang... unique to Jeju...

Osulloc, a tea museum...

Dragon Head Rock... a little broken now...

In front of Marilyn Monroe Cafe

Jeju horses together...

At Haenyeo-do... wish comes true...?

Marilyn Monroe Cafe... Ha!

Ground nut ice cream with red bean... yummy

Museum for shells

With one of the diver lady...

We were fortunate to be on time for their return...

Live octopuses... want some?

Amanda's special trick with this photo collection

The Book: (Korean translation of "The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good" by Peter Greer)

It was timely that this book was published.

We had a dinner together with the president of the publishing company, Misung Kim, and the president of Korea Copyright Center, Misook Hong, also Kristin's college friend.

I distributed approximately 50 books to friends and colleagues in Korea.

The book...

With Peter Greer, the author of the book...

Kristin, Misung Kim and Misook Hong

Trip to Busan

This day-trip was made possible because of KTX, Korea's express train. We left Seoul around 8AM and came back around 9:30PM. Also, we rented an apartment nearby Seoul Station, which made all travels pretty convenient.

We briefly saw Min-Jung, an SBS alumnus living in Busan.

We visited Haewoondae, a beach town, Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market and a few other places. Too short to have a good taste, but it was fun to be together with Amanda and James on the way and back.

Haewoondae Beach...

Jagalchi Market... the largest fish market

Tiger shirimps... humongous...

Fish, fish, fish

Shells and clams...

Trip to DMZ

It was my first time to visit the world's only demilitarized zone (DMZ) dividing the Korean peninsula.

We even entered into a tunnel that North Koreans dug to invade S. Korea if necessary. So far four of them have been discovered. One of them was as deep as 70 meters. It was a miracle to even spot it.

Imjingak is a place where the rustic train and other things are displayed evidencing the painful reality of the divided nation.

Dorasan Station is the last northern station for S. Korea, but could be the international station that connects to N. Korea and further to Eurasia Train all the way to Moscow. If and when this materializes, it would open many opportunities for both Koreas.

Rustic train that wants to run to north...

Ribbons of wishes...

The invasion tunnel we visited...

On top of Namsam:

Namsan is a mountain located at the heart of Seoul. There is a tower, called N Towner, on top and has an observatory.

We went to the top riding a cable car and we walked down. Cherry and yellow forsythia flowers were in full blossom, indicating the spring's arrival.

We watched a performance of Korean traditional drum dancers hopping around the plaza at the top.

Namsan Tower in distance...

Love Locks at N. Towner

Seeing friends and relatives

It is undeniable joy to see old friends on every trip to Korea.

We saw Kristin's auntie who treated us with extravaganza Japanese sushi and sashimi. Wow! What a treat! The best Japanese dish we have eaten anywhere. Some sushi with instant cook on site for the surface was a new experience. Even James fully enjoyed the food, even the eyeball of a fish. Ha!

One of the visits involved a trip to Yonsei University, my college alma mater. It is always great joy to visit the old campus although there are so many buildings that have changed the landscape completely. A few shots that gave me a nostalgic feeling. Two of Agape friends are senior officers at the university, including Senior Vice President of Administrative Affairs.

We saw a few SBS alumni. They always encourage us and I pray for God's continuing guidance on their lives.

College friends, high school friends, college club (Agape) friends, other friends, fellow Kingdom workers, such as Harry Kim, Sunki Bang, Jaechul Jung, Paul Shin etc. We saw Peter and Sharon Song at the Incheon Airport. Peter is the senior pastor for a church in Incheon. We used to be high school department teachers at OMC in Los Angeles. Always short of time to see them all to full satisfaction. Whomever we saw received a copy of the book that I have translated.

With Pyung Ku Lee

With Hyung Gun Song at Young Nak Church after service

With Jun Kim

With Peter and Sharon Song at Incheon Airport

With Kristin's auntie after extravaganza Japanese foods

With Prof. Jinbae Park and Namhyun Kim, Agape friends

Statue of Mr. Underwood, missionary and founder of Yonsei

Main campus square seen from Prof. Park's office

Truth will set you free (John 8:32)

At Luce Chapel of Yonsei University

Ji-Hyun and Sungeun with Kristin...

With Sang Keub Lee, an SBS alumus

With Harry Kim exchanging books

Food, food, food.

Oh, what a joy and fun to eat Korean foods in Korea. All kinds of food. Just one eating opportunity of the past favorite foods is enough.

About Me

Jeffrey is a Christian financial entrepreneur. He has been in the industry for more than 35 years, including 17 years as CEO for three banks in the U.S. and Rwanda. Recently, he was CEO for Urwego Opportunity Bank in Rwanda for more than five years until May 1, 2014. In October 2015, he founded SfK Ministries and serves as its CEO. His experiences are diverse from branch banking to project finance, from community banking to corporate banking.
Kristin is a registered nurse. She has been in various departments of nursing for 30 years.
They are happily married and have two daughters, Amanda and Joyce. They live in Rwanda and Thailand.